What to know about Silfab Solar’s two chemical spills in Fort Mill this week
A pair of chemical spills two days apart at Silfab Solar this week prompted a flurry of local and state actions, as well as infuriated neighbors who have complained for years that spills could cause problems.
Here’s a look at what happened:
Initial Silfab Solar spill and response
- On Tuesday morning, March 3, a chemical spill occurred at the Silfab Solar site in unincorporated Fort Mill. York County posted on its Facebook page that the 9:45 a.m. spill at 7149 Logistics Lane involved more than 1,500 gallons of potassium hydroxide. Silfab contained all but about 30 gallons, according to the county, and the incident caused no threat to the public.
- At 11:18 a.m., Silfab released a statement on an “accidental release” of water containing .03% potassium hydroxide at its Fort Mill facility. The company worked with emergency responders and confirmed there was no public threat from the spill. Potassium hydroxide is an industrial base used to make soaps, batteries and fertilizers. It is corrosive and can irritate the skin, eyes or respiratory system.
- The county updated its notice a little after noon on Tuesday, stating the amount of potassium hydroxide spilled was about 300 gallons and not the larger number first reported. Both the initial and updated figures came from Silfab, according to the county.
Public officials respond to Silfab spill
- Myra Reece, director of the S.C. Department of Environmental Services, wrote a letter to Silfab on Tuesday stating the company should stop accepting chemicals and pause its start-up until a state investigation into the spill can be completed.
- State Sen. Michael Johnson and Sen. Wes Climer wrote a letter Tuesday that calls for a shutdown of Silfab operations until a state investigation is complete. Johnson states the local issue of whether Silfab should be allowed at the Fort Mill site has now become a state one, and that Silfab “has no business operating where it is located.”
Silfab reaction continues on Wednesday
- S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson wrote to Silfab on Wednesday afternoon asking for details on the spill and company policies to determine “what further actions may be warranted.”
- The Fort Mill School District took its first public stance against Silfab on Wednesday, siding with state agencies and calling for a shutdown until a state investigation is complete. The district also backed a measure by State. Rep. David Martin that would allow a county to revoke permits if a business is found to be out of zoning compliance.
New Silfab chemical leak reported Thursday
- At 8:22 a.m. on Thursday, York County announced a second incident had occurred at the Silfab site. County emergency response went to the facility after reports of a hydrofluoric acid spill. The acid was contained on site and did not pose a threat to public safety, according to the county.
- The school district canceled school at nearby Flint Hill Elementary School out of an “abundance of caution.” Children already on buses to the school were redirected to Pleasant Knoll Middle School for pickup by parents.
- Silfab provided a statement Thursday afternoon saying it will pause operations at the Fort Mill site. Silfab maintained there is no threat to employees, the community or the environment.
- The state environmental agency directed the company to immediately stop all operations. Silfab should look for and report any other potential leaks, according to the letter, and secure the site as the investigation continues.
What to know about Silfab stop work order from SC
- South Carolina Department of Environmental Services said the shutdown will remain in place while the department and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency investigate the facility’s risk management program, according to the letter sent to Silfab.
- The state directed Silfab to place all systems in a “safe and secure condition,” and confirm that no additional chemical leaks are occurring.
- The company must also hire an engineer to evaluate chemical systems and equipment for leaks and report the findings to the state.
- Silfab must notify regulators as soon as possible if any additional chemicals are released at the facility.
- The state gave Silfab until 4 p.m. Thursday to agree to the terms. Silfab said in a statement around 1:30 p.m. it would pause operations and coordinate with state officials.
Charlotte Observer reporter Nora O’Neill contributed to this report
This story was originally published March 5, 2026 at 3:08 PM.
John Marks
The Herald